Receptacle for telephone handset

Abstract

A telephone receiving apparatus (100) rigidly retains a telephone handset (200) without the need for a release lever. In the preferred embodiment, a moveable boss (108) and a rigid boss (106) engage corresponding notches (208 and 206) in the earpiece of the handset during insertion. The handset (200) is removed by moving it forward until the rigid boss (106) is cleared. The improved telephone receiving apparatus of the present invention may be advantageously utilized in mobile telephones and a variety of other applications where a telephone handset is subject to shock and vibration during normal use.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Telephone apparatus comprising, in combination: a handset having first and second ends, the first end of the handset having first and second notches on two substantially opposite sides; and   a base including:   a recessed portion having a bottom and sides for receiving the first end of the handset;   a first boss coupled to one of the sides of the recessed portion for inserting into the first notch;   a second boss moveably disposed in a hole in the side of the recessed portion substantially opposite to said first boss for inserting into the second notch, said second boss having a first end with a canted surface for engaging the handset during insertion, said second boss having a second end being disposed in said hole, and said second boss having a substantially flat bottom surface being disposed opposite to a substantially flat surface of said second notch for retaining the handset when inserted; and   spring means coupled to the base for resisting movement of said second boss into the hole in the recessed portion, whereby said second boss moves at least partially into the hole during insertion and removal of the handset from the base.   
     
     
       2. The telephone apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first boss has an end with a canted surface for engaging the handset during insertion, and said first boss has a substantially flat bottom surface being disposed opposite to a substanially flat surface of said first notch for retaining the handset when inserted. 
     
     
       3. The telephone apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second end of said second boss has a lip extending outwardly for engaging the edges of the hole in the base. 
     
     
       4. The telephone apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said base further includes top and bottom portions each having a tang which engage one another for locking said top portion to said bottom portion. 
     
     
       5. The telephone apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said top and bottom portions have tongue-in-groove opposing edges for producing an environmental seal when said top portion is locked to said bottom portion. 
     
     
       6. The telephone apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said base further includes: means for illuminating said first recessed area when said illuminating means is enabled; and   switch means coupled to said second boss for enabling said illuminating means when said handset is removed from said base.   
     
     
       7. Telephone apparatus comprising, in combination: a handset having first and second ends, the first end of the handset having at least one notch; and   a base including:   a first recessed portion having a bottom and sides for receiving the first end of the handset;   a second recessed portion having a lip for receiving the second end of the handset;   a boss moveably disposed in a hole in the side of the first recessed portion for inserting into the notch, said boss having a first end with a canted surface for engaging the handset during insertion, said boss having a second end being disposed in said hole, and said boss having a substantially flat bottom surface being disposed opposite to a substantially flat surface of said notch for retaining the handset when inserted; and   spring means coupled to the base for resisting movement of said boss into the hole in the first recessed portion, whereby said boss moves at least partially into the hole during insertion and removal of the handset from the base.   
     
     
       8. The telephone apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said second end of said boss has a lip extending outwardly for engaging the edges of the hole in the base. 
     
     
       9. The telephone apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said base further includes: means for illuminating said first recessed area when said illuminating means is enabled; and   switch means coupled to said boss for enabling said illuminating means when said handset is removed from said base.